Listening to the Next Generation >> John

My pappou [grandfather] has always influenced me in a positive manner. When I am in school, he tells me to do my work, “diabase paidi mou” [study my child]. He knows that his parents came over and persevered in order to make a life for themselves in America. He wants to see that pride, tradition and hard work ethic carried down. I don’t ever feel pressured. I always feel like it is a good thing. I want to do good for my family and the Greek community, and hopefully one day give back.

Got Greek? interviews John K. from University of Michigan

My mother is my Greek connection. Both of her parents are Greek. They were both born in the United States. But my mother’s grandparents were both born in Greece. This makes me 50% Greek, because my dad is Czechoslovakian.

Q: What do you know about your great-grandparents, and where they were from in Greece?

A: My pappou’s [grandfather’s] family is from Epiros, and my yiayia’s [grandmother’s] is from Peloponnisos [the Peloponnese].  Both families came to the United States in the 1920s, and had businesses. My yiayia’s father owned and operated a coffee shop and restaurant. From what I understand, my pappou’s father was a shoemaker.

Q: Where did your grandparents grow up?

A: My yiayia was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. My pappou grew up in Webster, Massachusetts.

Q: How did your parents meet each other?

A: My mother’s father, my pappou, is a Greek Orthodox priest. His name is Stavros Natsis. Actually, last year he celebrated his 50 years of marriage to my yiayia and 50 years in the priesthood.  He has been around on the East Coast, and has been at parishes in West Virginia and upstate New York. And since I was born, the last 22 or so years, he’s been in Waterbury, Connecticut. My mom was, of course, the Presbytera’s [priest’s wife’s] daughter, involved in going to the church and all of the church functions. When my mother’s family lived in New York, my mom met my dad by way of a blind date. My father is Russian Orthodox. The first thing my mom told him when she began dating him was that culture was very important to her, and that she’s going to stay Greek Orthodox. When they decided to get married, my dad compromised with her and he went to Greek school and took an active interest in learning about the Greek culture. Now he attends the Greek Orthodox Church with us.

Q: What was it like growing up, especially having that legacy as the grandson of a Greek Orthodox priest?

A: It was special. I didn’t realize how important it was when I was young. You almost develop more of an appreciation for it as you grow up. When you are in church when you are young, you don’t necessarily understand all of the aspects of the religious service and what it all represents. But as I learned more about the culture and the faith, I was like, wow, my grandfather is the guy doing the service. So it kind of automatically makes you somewhat, not famous, but you have a connection. When you talk to an older member of the church or some people that have been going to the church for 50 years, and they find out you’re the priest’s grandson— all of a sudden you have this commonality. It has been great. He comes to our house once a year and blesses our house. I have learned a lot from him. He actually has a doctorate. He went to school for a long time, and earned a Masters in Divinity and Doctorate in Divinity. I have learned a lot from him and I have always admired and respected that. The pride of having a pappou that is a Greek Orthodox priest is prevalent in my family, especially in my mom.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I grew up in a suburb of Detroit. It’s called Livonia. I lived there until I was about five. Then we moved to Milford, which is an even farther-out suburb, where it is very White Anglo-Saxon Protestant [WASP]. I feel like I didn’t have that connection growing up with the Greek community because my church was 45 minutes toward Detroit. So I wasn’t able to be as active as I would have liked with the student groups and GOYA [Greek Orthodox Youth Association]. But when I came to college, it’s very culturally diverse and a melting pot. I feel like I have reconnected in a way with my Greek roots.

Q: What influenced you to join the Hellenic Student Association here at college?

A: My mother had spoken Greek in my household when I was young, and as a result of her ability to communicate with my older Greek speaking relatives, I became interested in learning the language. I had this desire to kind of learn about that aspect of the culture, not only the fact that it is historically very significant. But I always told myself that I wanted to speak Greek in order to communicate with that side of the family. I just always knew that this was a part of me that I would connect with as I became older. I had always been involved in sports and stuff like that in high school. So I wanted to be involved with a different group with a different purpose, something like culture that reunites people. I have always found, especially when you go to Greek weddings, you find people are very warm. I thought this would be a great community to be in when I am older. Who knows if I will marry into a Greek family or something like that? That would be great but you never know. Anyway, my junior year here, I kind of finally separated from the high school friends who I hung out with for the first two years of college. I wound up branching out and meeting a bunch of Greek students. Actually, I knew a few of them from my church that went here. I had always held Greek people in a higher regard as far as their warmth. Now I’m in the club, and it has been great.

Q: Going back to what you said about growing up in a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant or WASP area– how did you convey your Greek identity to your friends who weren’t Greek?

A: It is funny because my mom always calls me Yiannaki [Little John]. My sister would call me this too, and my friends would never understand that when they were over at my house. I think my mom still calls me that, to be completely honest. But it was one of those things where it was kind of prevalent in the household. Until I was three or four, I spoke Greek with my mom. But then as I went to grade school, I started learning English. I never unfortunately got to do the whole Greek school thing. I was doing sports and things like that. Greek school took place at my church, which was far away and I didn’t get to go. My friends would notice that my mom would call me really funny names, and I would say, “It’s not a big deal. We’re Greek.” I have always held my culture in high regard, especially because I feel like I know about Orthodoxy and the meaning of it. I think the word “Orthodoxy” itself actually means the “straight way,” or something along those lines. I feel like my religion and culture have always held a prestigious identity in my mind. I have always held this aspect of my life in very high regard. We are Orthodox and it is very richly rooted in the culture and the history. I have always felt proud about it. When you are connected through athletic teams, you don’t necessarily get into deep conversations about things like religion. I actually have a very good friend of mine that was Protestant and ended up converting to Greek Orthodoxy. I told him that I don’t try to impress things upon people. But there was something he saw and experienced about it when he was in college. We didn’t go to the same college but he’s now thinking about pursuing the Greek Orthodox priesthood. It is crazy and very interesting. Like I said, I was always very proud whenever I spoke about it because I knew that it was different. But I felt like it was unique and a special way of being different. That’s because I knew a lot of people, especially where I grew up, who didn’t have that connection to their cultural background.

Q: Were there any instances growing up when you felt that your Greek identity restricted you in any way?

A: Even though Greek Orthodoxy is a very traditional religion, I feel like Greeks in general are very open- minded. I never felt it restricted me from doing anything. I did have Easter at a different time than everybody else. But if I had basketball practice, it never interfered. I didn’t feel that it separated me from friends. If anything, it was a point of pride and there were never really any incidents. I was happy to tell people about what being Greek is like, because I noticed that they didn’t have that cultural aspect to their faith. They just went to church. There was nothing beyond it. To me, it held more of a meaning. I would never say that my Greek identity restricted me in doing anything. If anything, it was a beacon of confidence in my life when I was younger.

Q: Are there values you associate with Greek culture?

A: I think having a very close-knit family. I also feel Greeks are very welcoming. I feel if you’re not Greek, and you walk into a room full of Greeks or you’re a guest at dinner, they would make you feel very welcome and at-home. I feel like there is warmth associated with the culture. Of course there is that stereotype that all Greek mothers say: “Have some more food.” And when you say “no,” they give you more. But that is kind of how it is. I always felt that warmth. Also, my pappou has always influenced me in a positive manner. When I am in school, he tells me to do my work, “diabase paidi mou” [study my child]. He knows that his parents came over and persevered in order to make a life for themselves in America, and he wants to see that pride, tradition and hard work ethic carried down. I don’t ever feel pressured. I always feel like it is a good thing. I want to do good for my family and the Greek community, and hopefully one day give back.

Q: In terms of identity, do you use terms like American, Greek American, Greek, American of Greek descent, or anything else?

A: If somebody tells me they’re Greek, I don’t really question it. I don’t ask if they are 25%, 50%, or 75% Greek. That doesn’t matter to me. Even just being in the Hellenic Student Association here on campus, I’m half Greek and I am still welcomed just like any other native Greek member. I’m not even from Greece. But all of my roommates, except for one, are all actually native Greeks. Some of them are United States citizens but a lot of them are here on student visas. To me, I have never really felt like it is necessary to discriminate. Maybe that is just the kind of person I am. Maybe that is a Greek thing, too: including everyone. I do identify myself as Greek American. But I definitely don’t use labels to identify people. Of course there are stereotypes, which you see, for instance, in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I can totally relate. My yiayia [grandmother] is the same way. If you tell her you don’t want any more food, she will give you more. With other Greek people, it hits home. You feel like you have this interpersonal connection without even necessarily having met the individual. You know that they have that warmth about them, too. You know that they are going to be genuinely interested in learning about you and also that commonality is something that you will have with them. The language is another key commonality. I don’t speak it myself but I am now learning Greek. I have always wanted to learn it.

Q: You brought up the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. What did you think about it?

A: I thought it was great. I have heard many different reactions to it. There were some that thought it was making fun of the Greek culture. I thought it was really funny because I felt like I could really relate to it, especially because my dad married into the culture. I associate him with the main male character in the movie because I know he had to go through the pseudo-initiation of being immersed in the Greek culture. Even though my dad wasn’t Greek, my mom’s family still welcomed him with open arms. My dad is actually Russian Orthodox, so he did not have to go through the religious conversion process. My dad is a great guy, and my mom’s family loves him. But the movie, I think it’s just hilarious. If anything, it made me want to learn more about the culture. You know, the Ouzo shots and all of these different kinds of traditions that Greeks have. You want to learn about that. You want to know what they actually do in Greece when they have a celebration. Do they celebrate in a way that is similar to how they the Greeks and Greek Americans living in the United States do it here? It provokes your curiosity, so you want to learn more about the culture. So I thought it was good. I liked it a lot.

Q: In the movie, one of the major themes is about the main character marrying someone not of Greek descent. In terms of your own relationships, and possibly having a life partner down the road, what role does your Greek heritage play?

A: I have always told myself that ideally it would be really nice to be with someone Greek. Of course I wouldn’t say that is the deciding factor by any means. But it is definitely a nice commonality to have the same cultural or religious background. I have always had this idealized image in my mind of marrying a Greek girl. I think that I have developed this type of ideal woman by looking at all the wonderful qualities that my mother embodies. She’s very open-minded, but at the same time she is also very deeply rooted in her faith. I have always admired her. So I think that maybe it is just natural that you look for someone that is like your mom. I have always envisioned myself marrying into or being a part of a Greek family, or eventually marrying a Greek girl. I think that would be a great thing. Of course, that is not the only thing but I definitely think that culture is an intangible. It would be a great connection and something that I have always seen myself doing in the future. We will see. Hopefully, it works out.

Q: Have you traveled in Greece?

A: Yes. I went for the first time this past summer. It was unbelievable. It was great. I already have plans to make another visit. That is really exciting. On my trip this past summer, I got to go with some good friends of mine. I am very fortunate to have contacts there, so I didn’t have to spend money on room and board. I went with some friends and I got to see it from a 22-year old ideal social perspective. We went to Athens and did some island-hopping. This next summer, I think we are going to do the whole official thing with the family and do the historical tour and go to the museums, which I’m really looking forward to doing. As for the climate, I don’t think there was a single rainy day there. I loved it.

Q: What was your reaction when you got there?

A: When I first got there, I was just shocked because I have countless friends that have gone on study abroad to Greece, and now I was finally getting a chance to experience what I had always heard them talk about. When I was there, it definitely exceeded my expectations. You hear about how the weather and the landscapes are nice and how there are a lot of beautiful people. But until you are there, you don’t even appreciate the scenery. I look back at the pictures I took and I can’t even believe I was really there. I think to myself: “Are you kidding yourself, John?” It was crazy. Not to dwell on the weather, but when you are there, you almost get spoiled because you start getting used to it. But I kept telling myself to knock-on-wood and hope it doesn’t rain. I thought for sure that I was going to jinx myself, but it never rained. As far as learning about the history of Greece, I feel like I just skimmed the surface. I didn’t get to do a whole lot of the typical tourist types of things, but I did get a chance to go to the Acropolis. Now, if I learn the language and pick up on it a little more, it will be even more fruitful for me and I will get more out of it when I go next time.

Q: Did you have any sense of connection when you were in Greece?

A: I obviously have relatives that are from Greece, and my mom has some cousins that are there. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go see any of them. But it was nice knowing that you are exploring the basis of your heritage, your culture, where it all came from. You also don’t realize until you get there how historically significant it is between the artifacts, with the origins of ideas like democracy and work of famous philosophers. It is a great thing just to be confronted with it and to see all these things, and go to the top of the Acropolis and look over Athens. It is overwhelming but it is a great feeling. It makes you feel proud that you are associated with this culture, which is so magnificent and far-reaching.

Q: In terms of where you live right now in college, do you have any objects you associate with your Greek heritage?

A: Definitely. I have some icons of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. I have a Greek flag, of course, which I had to immediately get. I realized the importance of it and what it represented to me. I was jealous because all of my friends had Greek flags on their walls, and I wanted one, too. I have that, and that’s pretty much it in terms of what’s visible. I picked up a few souvenirs when I was in Greece. The pictures are the best for me because I have those on my computer, and I know that I will always have them. Over the years I would definitely like to collect more objects that reflect my Greek heritage, whether it is iconography or things of that nature. I like getting things that are authentic. I definitely have a few things that identify me as being Greek in my room, for sure.

Q: Earlier we talked about your involvement with the Hellenic Student Association here on campus. Have you explored any other opportunities on campus to take Greek-related classes?

A: I guess the biggest inspiration for me was actually finally taking the language class here. I had never taken it before, and I thought maybe I could learn it on my own. But at a certain point, you reach a standstill in your studies and you realize it would be great to have some more formal instruction. So I started taking Modern Greek 101, even though I was a fifth-year senior. I thought it would be great to learn, and it has inspired me to continue working on my language-speaking skills. It gave me a boost in my language learning. It has been great. I’ve gotten to know some of the faculty and have made more connections in the Greek community. We have also gone to the church around here and participated in student dinners. Additionally, I have met Greek people in the community who own businesses in Ann Arbor. There are a pretty significant amount of Greeks around here, and you feel like you know someone everywhere you go.

Q: How do you see yourself staying connected to the culture?

A: YAL [The Young Adult League] has kind of interested me. I would like to do something like that. I am Greek Orthodox so I will always be going to a Greek Orthodox Church. I am planning on going to law school next year. So I will definitely seek out the Greek students because of the kind of home they’ve made me feel just by finding them here in my undergraduate years. I imagine I will keep track and keep in touch with a lot of my friends here. I feel like the friends I have made here in the Hellenic Student Association are lifelong friends. They are very driven and goal-oriented and have similar career goals that I have. I am looking forward to staying involved and connected with them, seeing them over holidays and vacations or whenever I get a chance.

Q: Before we conclude, is there anything you wanted to bring up that we didn’t talk about.

A: It has been a great experience being Greek thus far. I would eventually want to follow in the footsteps of George Stephanopoulos or someone like that. That would be great. My mom always tells me to be like him because I want to go into politics. It is just that I feel like I will always stay connected with the culture and the religion. I look forward to being involved even when I’m older. When I’m older, hopefully I will make a decent amount of money so I can give back to the church and do philanthropic things like that. That is about it. It has been a great part of my upbringing and childhood. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have the Greek Orthodox faith and culture within my family.

Q: Thank you for the interview.

A: You’re welcome.